Aeroplane



June 10, 1930. H. MCLIND 1,762,874

AEROPLANE Filed July 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 144 44 X/ j? 6 Inventor 1% Z/kd Attorney June 10, 1930. H. mum: 1,762,874

' AEROPLANE {Filed July 1', 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AEROPLANE .Applieation filed July 1, 1929'. Serial No. 375,123.

The present invention appertains to new and useful improvements in aeronautics, and more particularly to a novel aircraft of the convertible helicopter type. It is the aim of this invention to provide an aircraft having wings and propellers for straight forwardflight which may be adjusted for con verting the aircraft into a helicopter type whereby the craft may rise vertically from the ground.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a convertible aircraft of the character mentioned which will be far more practical and efiicient in operation than struc- 16 tures of this character heretofore attempted.

Another important object of the invention is to prepare'an aircraft of the convertible type mentioned wherein the details are of simple design to permit the aircraft to be 0 manufactured of light construction.

These and numerous other'objects of the invention will become more apparent to the reader after considering the invention as described and claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the novel aircraft with the wings thereof in extended position.

Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the novel aircraft with the wings thereof in contracted position.

Figure 3 represents a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the aircraft showing the propeller in vertical position.

Figure 4 represents a diagrammatic view of the drum and cable for. controlling the propellers and wings.

Figure 5 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the drum structure.

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the guide and propeller shafts.

Figure 7 represents a fragmentary side elevation in partial section disclosing the universal connection between the propeller shaft andthe drive shaft of the motor.

Figure 8 represents a top plan view of the frame for connecting the engaging elements of the universal joint.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it will be seen that the present invention includes-a fusglage or body portion generally referred to 5. medi acy of the body and forwardly thereof is located the internal combustion engine 7 \Vheels 8 are connected to the bottom of the body by leaf springs 9.

The rear portion of the body is equipped with a rudder 10 and elevator 11, while the engine 7 is provided with a forwardly aswell as rearwardly extending drive shaft 12. Each end of the drive shaft 12 is connected to a propeller shaft 13 by a universal joint such as is generally referred to by numeral 14. This universal joint is clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8 and includes a frame such as is shown in Figure 8, consisting of a U- shaped member 15 pivotally connected at its free end to the inner side of the free ends of a relatively larger U-membcr 16, the pivot pins being denoted'by numeral 17.

A collar 18 is provided at the bight portion of each U-member, the collar 18 of the U-member 16 being adapted to receive one end of the shaft 12, while the collar 18 of the U-member 15 is adapted to receive the propeller shaft 13. The collar 18 on the U-member 16 is adapted to be supported by suitable posts. 19. As is clearl. shown in Figure 7, the adjacent ends of the shafts 12 and 13 are equipped with constantly meshing hemispherical discs 20. Thus rotary motion may be transmitted from the driveshaft 12 to the propeller shaft 13.

Numeral 21 generally refers to the guide means for the propeller shafts, one of which is provided at the front and rear of the aircraft body, in the manner shown in Figure 3. The guide means each consists of a longitudinally slotted bar 22 supported at its ends by brace members 23, in the manner clearly shown, 'so that the propeller shaft ma be moved forwardly in the manner shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The shaft 13 extends through a flanged bushing 24 (F ig. 6) and is equipped atits upper end with'a propeller 25.

. A drum generally referred to by numeral 26 is clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5 and A seat 6 is'provided at the interflange 28 and the ring gear 27. A shaft 30 supports the drum 26. As is clearly shown in Figure 3, a worm gear 31 operable by the 'shaft32, meshes wit the ring gear 2 for rotating the drum 26. A gear 33 on the shaft 32 is meshable with the gear Men the v drive shaft '12.-by a'clutch movable gear 35.

' On each end portion of the drum 26 is a cable 36. The cable at one end of the drum has one end portion disposed over a pulley 37 on the front support'23 of the guide means 21 and attached to an eye member 38 on the collar 24 of the guide means while the opposite end of the cable is attached directly to an' eye 39 on the opposite side of the bushing 24. The cable at the opposite end of the drum has one end portion disposed under a pulley 39' and over a pulley 40 on the forward su port of the slotted bar 22, of the rear gui e means. The cable is then attached to an eye member 41. The opposite end of the cable is disposed under a pulley 4 2 and around a pulley 43 for connection to an eye 44 on the bushing 24 of they rearpropeller shaft.

A pair of elongated cables 45 have their intermediacies convoluted about the drum 26 in the manner shown in Figure 4. One end portion of each cable is disposed craft vertically.

posed vertically when the aircraft is. to be employed as a helicopter for lifting the While the foregoing description has been in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the specific shape, size,

and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. An aircraft of the character described comprising a body, a motor mounted in the body, said motor being provided with a 7 drive shaft, 'a propeller shaft, means for pivotally connecting the propeller shaft to the drive shaft, collapsible wings on the body, means for adjusting the propeller sha t from 'a straight-forward propellin position. to a vertical lifting position, an connections between the propeller shaft and the wings for adjusti the wings in accfirtfltance with the positlon of the propeller s a 2. An aircraft of the character described drive shaft,'a',propeller shaft, means for pivotally connecting the propeller shaft to the drive shaft, collapsible wings on the body, means for adjusting the propellershaft from a straight-forward propelling position to a vertical lifting position, connections between the propeller shaft and the wings for adjusting the wings in accordance with the position of the propeller shaft, said pivotal. connection between the propeller "shaft and the drive shaft consisting of a hinged frame, opposed collars carried by the frame for rotatably receivin the drive shaft and the propeller shaft, an

hemispherical discs at the adjacent ends of the shaft for connected relation.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

' HERMAN MCLIND.

ribs are covered by canvas 50 and adjacent the inner end-of each rib an eye member It will thus be seen that when the propeller shafts are lowered, the wi 48 will expand due to the movements of t 0 cables 45. The cables 45 are actuated b the retation of the drum 26 motivate by the cables 36 connected to the propeller shaft.

Thus when the plane is to drive forwardly, the wings must be extended for sustaining flight, while the propeller shaft must be dis- 

